Volunteers Needed To Save Scilly Christmas Tradition

It’s hoped that volunteers will come forward to save a seasonal Scilly tradition.

Every Christmas Eve, a group of islanders have dressed as elves and taken Father Christmas on a trailer journey around St Mary’s.

It’s a chance for children and the young-at-heart to see Santa and try and catch sweets, which are thrown from the vehicle.

But this year’s 90-minute circuit is in jeopardy unless new helpers and someone with a pick-up truck can come forward.

The event used to be arranged by the Round Table but the local group folded in 2011, as membership numbers waned and the cost of affiliation to the national body got expensive.

Since then Ian Sibley has worked with other former Tablers to keep the tradition going.

But Ian says he’s been doing this for 20 years and it’s time to call it a day. He’s says he is happy to hand over the existing lights and sound equipment if any like-minded people approach him wanting to take this on.